April 30, 2013 (Jackson) - Families and friends gathered to celebrate the Graduating Class of 2012- 2013 at the Belhaven University Commencement Ceremony on April 27. Two ceremonies celebrated the accomplishments of Belhaven's undergraduate, graduate, adult and online students at Thalia Mara Hall in Downtown Jackson, Miss.
The undergraduate ceremony at 9:30 a.m. hosted Dr. Billy Kim as the commencement speaker. Dr. Kim is a broadcaster, pastor and influential speaker as well as an international Christian statesman who has advised former presidents of South Korea. Dr. Kim built an international media network at Far East Broadcasting Company-Korea where he serves as Chairman of the Board and he became the first Asian to serve as the president of the 40 million-member Baptist World Alliance.
During the ceremony Dr. Roger Parrott, Belhaven University President, awarded Joong-Myoung Lee, President of Emerson-Pacific Co., Ltd., an honorary Doctor of Management degree.
Then at 2:30 p.m., the adult, graduate and online students held their graduation activities. Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr. was the commencement speaker for the afternoon graduation ceremony. In 1997, Johnson made history by being elected Jackson, Mississippi's first African-American mayor. In 2001, Jackson voters again chose Johnson for a second four-year term as mayor. He has served a total three terms as the mayor of Jackson, Miss.
Belhaven University stands among select Christian colleges and universities and has been repeatedly named one of “America's 100 Best College Buys." The University offers 30 academic majors across a full spectrum of disciplines as well as a variety of graduate programs. In addition, Belhaven has achieved the distinction of being among only 30 universities nationally accredited in each of the major arts - music, theatre, visual art and dance. All programs are taught from a Christian worldview perspective and are guided by the mission to prepare students academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.
Belhaven University serves over 3,700 students offering undergraduate and graduate degrees on its residential campus, an online degree program, and graduate and adult degree programs in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, Chattanooga, and Atlanta.